Lock-seal lid



Feb. 21, 1950 BRYANT 2,498,245

I LOCK SEAL LID Filed Aug. 6, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. .21, 1950 D. D.BRYANT 2,493,245

- LOCKSEAL LID Filed Aug. 6, 1946 4 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Patented Feb. 21,1950 do'o'rs 1111 131561 tors sea, 1

tures of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for whichprotection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section on the line l-l, Fig. 2, through the outerend of a standard journal box showing my novel lid including the frameand cover plate applied thereto and showing the cover plate in closedposition.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the cover plate in openposition.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an inside view of the cover plate, detached.

The drawings show my novel lid applied to a journal box for illustrativepurposes only. As shown in Fig. 1, the standard journal box J has arough cast open outer end, over which opening my novel lid is attached,the opening being usually formed during the casting operation and leftunfinished. The journal box J is provided with a standard hinge lug J onits top above the open end, said hinge lug J being provided with a boreJ2 for a hinge pin 2 for the lid, the top of the lug J being formed in asubstantially horizontal plane, as indicated at J3 (Figs. 1 and 3),while the outer face of lug J slopes downwardly and inwardly as at J4 toform an acute angle with the top surface J3, i. e., an angle of lessthan 90 degrees, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The above is standardpractice, substantially all journal boxes being formed in the abovemanner, and hence the box J, per se, forms no part of my presentinvention.

Around the opening is a frame member I of rectangular shape, shown moreparticularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the same having an opening substantiallyconforming with the size and shape of the outer opening of the journalbox J, said frame being of greater width and height than the thicknessof the lip around the opening of the journal box, as shown in Fig. 3. I

At the lower end of the frame I is a curved resilient spring steeltongue la, extending within the lower end of the opening in the journalbox J and having its free end engaging the inner lower curved wall ofsaid box, so as to conform to casting thickness and any irregularitiesin casting form, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, whereby the lower end ofthe frame I will be prevented from moving away from the lower portion ofthe opening in the box J. Tongue la is placed at the center of the lowerend of frame l thereby leaving a free space through the frame at bothsidesof the tongue to provide space for packing irons. At the upper endof the frame 'I are a pair of resilient hinge eyes lb (Fig. 4)preferably formed of resilient sheet metal bent to such shape that theaxes of the eyes lb are normally slightly offset outwardly from the axisof the bore J2 of the hinge lug J, whereby when the hinge pin 2 ispassed through the eyes lb and through the bore J2 of hinge lug J thesheet metal eyes lb will be deflected so as to forcibly pull the upperedge of the frame 8 towards and against the upper portion of the'openingin the casting box J, the action of the eyes lb and the resilient tonguela serving to tightly clamp the upper and lower ends of frame I againstand acrossthe opening in the casting box J.

As shown, the inner face of frame I is provided with a peripheral groovelc, which is deeper at the lower end than at the upper end, the sides 4being inclined as shown in Fig. 3 with respect to the outer face of theframe I, whereby the upper end of the frame l will clear the outer faceof the hinge lug J of the journal box casting J, the upper end of frameI terminating below the front face of the hinge lug J. Within theperipheral recess I0 is a felt or other gasket 3 of substantialthickness, adapted to contact squarely the lip around the opening of thejournal box casting J so as to form an effective seal, as indicated inFigs. 1 and 3. Around the peripheral portion of the outer face of frameI is a recess id of substantial depth receiving a correspondingly shapedgasket 4, which projects outwardly beyond the outer face of the frame l,for the purpose hereinafter set forth. The upper run of gasket 4 isnarrower than at the sides and lower run to provide for the upper end offrame I fitting between the lip of casting J at the top of the openingand the front face of lug J.

In connection with the frame l, I provide a closure plate 5, shown moreparticularly in Figs. 2 and 5, said lid being of slightly larger overallsize than the frame I, and having inturned flanges 511 (Fig. 5) at itssides and bottom, while the upper edge of the plate 5 is left unflangedbut projects over the frame at the top. At the top center of the coverplate 5 is a substantially U-shaped offset portion 5b which may beformed by pressing out the material of the plate 5, said offset 5bextending upwardly beyond the upper edge of the plate 5 proper, as shownin Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and, overlying the hinge lug J of the journal boxJ, the upper end of the portion 5b being rounded as at for this purpose.The offset 512, 5c is spaced from hinge lug J a distance to providesufficient'clearance foroperation of the spring 6 hereinafter described,and at the same time to exclude dirt and moisture from the hinge lug J.Moreover, the upper ended (Fig. 3) of offset 5b acts as a stop to limitopening of the cover plate 5 to substantially horizontal position, end5d engaging the back of lug J when cover 5 is opened as in Fig. 3 butclearing the top of lug J when cover 5 is closed as in Fig. 1. Withinthe offset portion 5b is secured, by rivets 6a or by welding or thelike, a strong fiat spring 6 adapted to yieldably engage the tophorizontal surface J 3 of the hinge lug J of casting J, as shown in Fig.1 when the cover 5 is opened, as in said figure.

As shown the upper free end of spring 6 is provided with a return bendor loop 6b having an offset adjacent its free end and having its freeend rounded as at 6:1 so that when the cover plate 5 is closed as shownin Fig. 1.. the

spring will entirely clear the front face J4 of lug J so that returnbend 6b does not' contact therewith. But when cover plate 5 is in openposition, as shown in Fig. 3, the return bend portion 6b of spring 6will seat'squarely upon the top horizontal face J3 of lug J and due toflexing of spring 6 will yieldably maintain'th'e cover plate 5 in openposition. This arrangement of spring 6 provides for easy opening ofplate 5 and eliminates lug wear, the sole function of spring 6 being tohold the cover plate 5 open in sub stantially horizontal position shownin Fig. 3. the return bend 6b clearing the front face M of lue J duringopening and closing of' the plate 5 due to the curved portions 60 and 6dat the free end of return bend 6b which makes this action possible.

Extending from the upper edge of the cover plate 5 are a pair ofresilient hinge eyes 5e (Figs.

'2.'In a 1m as, set forth in claim 1, said maintainingxmeans comprisinghinge eyes at oppositesides ofSthe hinge lug and secured to the upperend of the plate by resilient metal straps, the eyes being normallyoffset from the frame a distance less than the actual distance of theupper end of the cover from the-axis of the hinge pin, whereby thestraps will be flexed when the hinge pin passes through the eyes toforcibly draw the upper end of the plate toward the frame.

3; In a lid as set forth in claim 1, said cover plate having a centrallydisposed outwardly offset portion extending above the upper edge of thecover to form a hood and an abutment which contacts the lug to limit theopening of the cover, the hood being curved to overlie the hinge lug;and said holding means on the plate com prising a flat steel springsecured at its inner end to a point within said offset portion andhaving its outer end adapted to engage the top face of the hinge lugonly when the cover plate is open.

4. In a lid as set forth in claim 1, said locking means comprising aresilient strap extending below and in rear of the lower end of theframe and having an eye disposed adjacent the lower inner edge of theframe, the strap beyond the eye extending downwardly to form a resilienthandle; and a roller journaled in the eye adapted to'contact the back ofthe frame when the cover .is closed. v I

5. A lock-seal lidfor journal boxes or the like having a bottom wallsloping upwardly and outwardly and terminating at an opening in theouter end of the box, and having a central hinge lug on its top wallabove said opening carrying a horizontal hinge pin, said lug having asubstantially horizontal top face, comprising a frame hinged on said pinand having an opening therein corresponding in area with the boxopening; a gasket around the inner face of the frame adapted to engagethe end of the box around said box opening; means for yieldablymaintaining the frame in tight contact with'the box end; a second gasketaround the outer face of the frame projecting beyond said face; a coverplate hinged on said pin and adapted to overlie the frame; and means onsaid plate yieldably maintaining the upper end of the plate in tightcontact with the second gasket when the plate is in normal closedposition; handle means on the lower end of the plate having a portionyieldably engaging the frame for locking the cover plate in tightcontact with the second gasket when the plate is closed; and means inthe cover plate yieldably engaging the top face of the hinge lug whenthe plate is in open position to hold the plate in said position.

6. In a lid as set forth in claim 5, said frame having a peripheralgroove in'its inner face receiving the first gasket, said groove beingshallower at the upper end of the frame than at the lower end, wherebythe upper end of the frame will clear the said hinge lug.

7. In a lid as set forth in claim 5, said frame 8 maintaining meanscomprising a downwardly and inwardly inclined tongue at the lower end ofthe frame adapted to enter the box opening and to contact the upwardlyand outwardly inclined bottom wall of the box adjacent the opening, tomaintain the first gasket tightly compressed between the lower end ofthe frame and the end of the box.

8. In a lid as set forth in claim 5, said frame maintaining meanscomprising hinge eyes at opposite sides of the hinge lug and secured tothe upper end of the frame by resilient metal straps, the eyes being:normally offset from the frame a distance less than the actual distanceof the upper end of the frame from the axis of the hinge pin, wherebythe straps will be flexed whenthe hinge pin passes through the eyes toforcibl draw the upper end of the frame towards the box.

9. In a lid as set forth in claim 5, said frame maintaining meanscomprising a downwardly and inwardly inclined tongue at the lower end ofthe frame adapted to enter the box opening and to contact the upwardlyand outwardly inclined bottom wall of the box adjacent the opening, tomaintain the lower end of the frame in tight contact with the end of thebox; and hinge eyes at opposite sides of the hinge lug and secured tothe upper end of the frame by resilient metal straps, the eyes beingnormally offset from the frame a distance less than theactual distanceof the upper end of the frame from the axis of the hinge pin, wherebythe straps will be flexed when the hinge pin passes through the eyes toforcibly draw the upper end of the frame towards the box.

10. In a lid as set forth in claim 5, said cover maintaining meanscomprising hinge eyes at opposite sides of the hinge lug and secured tothe upper end of the cover by resilient metal straps, the eyes beingnormally offset from the cover a distance less than the actual distanceof the upper end of the cover from the axis of the hinge pin, wherebythe straps will be flexed when the hinge pin passes through the eyes toforcibly draw the upper end of the cover plate towards the box when thecover is in closed position.

11. In a lid as set forth in claim 5, said cover plate having a centralldisposed outwardly offset portion extending above the upper edge of thecover to form an abutment which contacts the lug to limit the opening ofthe cover, the hood being curved to overlie the hinge lug; and saidholding means on the plate comprising a flat steel spring secured at itsinner end to a point within said offset portion and having its outer endadapted to engage the top face of the hinge lug only when the coverplate is open.

12. In a lid as set forth in claim 5, said locking means comprising aresilient strap extending below and in rear of the lower end of theframe and having an eye disposed adjacent the lower inner edge of theframe, the strap beyond the eye extending downwardly to form a resilienthandle; and a roller journaled in the eye adapted to contact the back ofthe frame when the cover is closed.

13. A lock-seal did for journal boxes or the like having a bottom wallsloping upwardly and outwardly and terminating at an opening in theouter end of the box, andhaving a central hinge lug on its top wallabove said opening carrying a horizontal hinge pin, said lug having asubstantially horizontal top face; comprising a frame hinged on said pinand having an opening therein corresponding in area with that of the boxopening, a gasket around the inner face of the frame adapted to engagethe end of the box around said box opening; means for yieldablymaintaining the frame in tight contact with the box end; a second gasketaround the outer face of the frame projecting beyond said face; a coverplate hinged on said pin and adapted to overlie the frame; means on saidplate yieldably maintaining the upper end of the plate in tight contactwith the second gasket when the plate is in normal closed position;means yieldably engaging the top face of the hinge lug when the plate isin open position to hold the plate in said position; and handle means onthe lower end of the plate having a portion adapted to engage the frameto maintain the plate in closed position.

14. In a lid as set forth in claim 13, said frame maintaining meanscomprising a downwardly and inwardly inclined tongue at the lower end ofthe frame adapted to enter the box opening and to contact the upwardlyand outwardly inclined bottom wall of the box adjacent the opening, tomaintain the first gasket tightly compressed between the lower end ofthe frame and the end of the box.

15. In a lid as set forth in claim 13, said frame maintaining meanscomprising hinge eyes at opposite sides of the hinge lug and secured tothe upper end of the frame by resilient metal straps, the eyes beingnormally offset from the frame a distance less than the actual distanceof the upper end of the frame from the axis of the hinge pin, wherebythe straps will be flexed when the hinge pin passes through the eyes toforcibly draw the upper end of the frame towards the box.

16. In a lid as set forth in claim 13, said cover maintaining meanscomprising hinge eyes at opposite sides of the hinge lug and secured tothe upper end of the cover by resilient metal straps,

the eyes being normally offset from the cover a distance less than theactual distance of the upper end of the cover from the axis of the hingepin, whereby the straps will be flexed when the hinge pin passes throughthe eyes to forcibly draw the upper end of the cover plate towards thebox when the cover is in closed position.

17. In a lid as set forth in claim 13, said cover plate having acentrally disposed outwardly offset portion extending above the upperedge of the cover to form a hood and an abutment which contacts the lugto limit the opening of the cover, the hood being curved to overlie thehinge lug; and said holding means on the plate comprising a flat steelspring secured at its inner end to a point within said offset portionand having its outer end adapted to engage the top face of the hinge lugonly when the cover is open.

18. In a lid as set forth in claim 13, said locking means comprising aresilient strap extending below and in rear of the lower end of theframe and having an eye disposed adjacent the lower inner edge of theframe, the strap beyond the eye extending downwardly to form a resilienthandle; and a roller journaled in the eye adapted to contact the back ofthe frame when the cover is closed.

DQNALD D. BRYANT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 670,642 Richards Mar. 26, 1901775,425 Johnson Nov. 22, 1904 855,947 Hawley June 4, 1907 1,712,018Barrows May 7 1929 2,281,352 Hannaford Apr. 28, 1942

